Resumption of Racing Update

 

Thank you all for your patience during these extraordinary times, we understand the frustration that comes with living in this time of indecision.  We have taken the approach that we can not confirm any start dates until we have had confirmation from the Government as to the timing of the moving to Alert Level 3 and 2 and when we know we will inform you. 

 

On Thursday the Government gave a high-level outline of what Alert Level 3 will look like. During this briefing, there was a strong emphasis placed on the fact that no decision as to when the move to Alert Level 3 will be made and an indication that a further announcement will be made on Monday. 

 

In anticipation of a move to Alert Level 3, the three racing codes along with RITA, have sent a joint application to the Government seeking guidance as to the health and safety requirements to enable racing to commence racing under Alert Level 3 and informing Government of the protocols we already have in place to enable us to commence racing as early as possible. Once we have the responses to our requests and once the move to Alert Level 2 or 3 is confirmed, GRNZ, which is currently the only code able to commence racing, will inform you. Thoroughbreds and Harness will be looking to get their training centres back in operation and horses back into work with a view to resume racing later in the year.  The key direction we are waiting upon is a response as to whether racing can be conducted in Alert Level 3 or not.

 

We currently have clubs on standby to advertise the trial meetings needed prior to the commencement of competitive racing and GRNZ will publish race meeting schedules on our website which we are working to commence the week following the first trials.  A draft dates Calendar will also be sent out for consultation in the next week which due to the current uncertainty as to the start date covers the dates program from 11 May 2020 to the end of the season.  The Calendar must be approved before racing can commence in accordance with the Racing Act. 

 

GRNZ will act in accordance to whatever is announced by the Government on Monday and are already putting in place actions to ensure if the Alert Level is moved to 2 or 3 we can act as quickly as possible. There is a responsibility placed on all of us to make our racetracks safe workplaces, and unlike most Health and Safety briefings in the past, the presence of Covid-19 makes 'people' a workplace hazard. Maintaining our physical distancing habits will be imperative. The GRNZ team has been working with the Government and our Australian counterparts to put together guidelines and recommendations to ensure we are all sticking to Government guidelines. 

 

We are fortunate that we can copy the Safe Workplace protocols already in place in Australian Greyhound racing. Our final protocols will be published and sent out as soon as we have a green light. 

 

We have had some queries in relation to Track Safety. We have been permitted to have essential maintenance on the tracks performed and they will be ready to race on once we get back to racing.